Perhaps acquiring another wide receiver before the trade deadline on Nov. 5 isn't a must for the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chiefs had WR concerns heading into their "Monday Night Football" matchup with the New Orleans Saints. They recently placed star second-year wideout Rashee Rice (knee) on injured reserve. Per The Athletic's Nate Taylor and RJ Kraft, he will undergo LCL surgery on Tuesday and is expected to miss the rest of the season.
With Rice out of the lineup, veteran WR JuJu Smith-Schuster showed why he's a former Pro Bowler. In the 26-13 victory over New Orleans (2-3), he tallied seven receptions for a team-high 130 receiving yards. It was his first 100-receiving yard game since Oct. 2022, via Bleacher Report.
Juju Smith Schuster on MNF
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 8, 2024
7 REC
130 YDS
His first 100-yard game since October 2022 pic.twitter.com/7PdjHKjWYz
In his postgame news conference, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes compared Smith-Schuster to tight end Travis Kelce regarding his understanding of their offense.
"Trav is one of a kind, but [Smith-Schuster] has a good feel for the entire concept of the play, and so he knows how to get into the open spots," Mahomes said. "He did a good job of beating [man coverage] when they played man and finding windows [in zone coverage] to get big catches."
Smith-Schuster played a pivotal role when the Chiefs won their third Super Bowl during the 2022-23 season, catching 78 passes for 933 yards and three TDs in 16 regular-season games.
After he hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, Smith-Schuster cashed in, signing a three-year deal with the New England Patriots. However, he had one receiving TD in 11 regular-season games in the 2023-24 season. In August, the Patriots released him, and he reunited with the Chiefs.
Although he logged just two receptions through his first four games, he seems ready to be an asset again.
"But I think when the opportunity presents itself, I wanted to step up. I love the adversity. I love being down. I love the doubts," Smith-Schuster told the media Monday. "I've always bet on myself. I came here on a one-year deal [in 2022], and it worked out for me. So coming back here was kinda like a no-brainer."
The Chiefs (5-0) should still consider trading for another pass-catcher, perhaps DeAndre Hopkins (Tennessee Titans) or Amari Cooper (Cleveland Browns). Either would give Mahomes another playmaker on the perimeter who would complement Smith-Schuster and Kelce.
Even if they don't land another WR, that may not hinder their Super Bowl chances. They can keep relying on Smith-Schuster, who seems determined to prove he's still a valuable weapon.
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